Big Scrub - More for less
Traditionally, this principle has been about increasing efficiency—achieving more faster with less effort: doing things right. In the context of the “New Normal,” this principle can be taken a step further and applied with a focus on effectiveness: doing the right things. Going forward, we’ll eliminate anything that doesn’t lead to the goal or contribute to it in any way. In short: achieving more with less is only possible by eliminating unnecessary processes and tasks.
It’s hard to let go. We cling even to traditions or routines we don’t like, or… After all, the new situation could be even worse. And somehow, we just make do. The pressure must be high enough to let go of all reservations. Or the alternative: simply the act of decluttering, the big clean-up, is fun—as the first step toward a new normal.
Big Scrub: Decluttering and More Than Just Efficiency
The Big Scrub means more than just giving processes and structures a quick wipe-down. It’s about decluttering and getting rid of unnecessary things in the company. This doesn’t just increase efficiency. More importantly, it creates space so that the new normal can take up more room than expected.
How does the Big Scrub work? Let’s take a team or a department as an example: Before we permanently establish something new, how do we get rid of what’s cumbersome and ultimately superfluous? Here’s a quick guide to selecting initial decluttering actions in a workshop—virtual or in-person. Problems are an ideal starting point for this:
- Collect problems: Each team member writes down their biggest pain points—a maximum of three. “This annoys me and has to go!” This should be a quick process. Two minutes are enough. That way, only the biggest problems are identified. And those are the ones that come to mind immediately.
- Sort the problems: Most of the time, there are duplicate points. These are consolidated, automatically reducing the number of problems to be addressed.
- Prioritize problems: Now we vote on which issues have the highest priority and should be eliminated. There are various options for this, depending on the size of the group and whether we’re working virtually or in person: Voting by a show of hands is the simplest option. Everyone is allowed to speak up three times. Approval should be 75% for implementation to succeed.
- Define the decluttering: With the result, a decision is made: We’ll leave this alone or stop, we’ll eliminate it, we’ll throw it away. A classic action plan is created: What does who do by when.
- Track the decluttering: After 2 weeks and 2 months, we check whether the decluttering was successful. This is what it feels like to let something go! This builds confidence to eliminate unnecessary processes even faster in the future.
The agile “Big Scrub” method shows how to achieve more with less. Simple and fast, cooperative and collaborative. This is how talent management should be today. And this positive experience becomes part of the new normal within an organization.